All-Clad
Company type | Private, limited liability company |
---|---|
Industry | Consumer Goods |
Founded | 1960 |
Founder | John Ulam |
Headquarters | , USA |
Products | cookware, ovenware, kitchen tools, kitchen accessories |
Parent | Groupe SEB |
Website | all-clad.com |
All-Clad Metalcrafters is a manufacturer of high-performance bonded cookware with headquarters in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The company markets its cookware to department and specialty stores in the United States, Canada, Germany, UK and Australia along with premium All-Clad bonded ovenware, kitchen tools, and a growing assortment of kitchen accessories.
History
1960
Ulam establishes Composite Metal Products, Inc.
1967
Ulam patents a system of bonding steel and aluminum that he discovered which allows heat to spread evenly through a pan. The unique process uses heat and pressure to bond different metals into “sandwiched” sheets. Ulam's patented “roll-bonding” process becomes the basis for most of All-Clad's products and allows cookware produced in this way to distribute heat evenly and efficiently. After forming an alliance with Alcoa in 1967, he begins to adapt his bonding technology to cookware products. The various combinations of clad metals proves ideal for cookware applications and results in performance that greatly exceeds that of non-bonded cookware. Ulam partners with Alcoa to create Clad Metals, Inc., as he applies cladding technology to the production of cookware. Clad Metals, Inc. is still located at the Canonsburg site and, in addition to All-Clad's cookware, crafts metals for a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, chemical, and cryogenic.
1971
After years of perfecting his bonding process, Ulam establishes All-Clad Metalcrafters. He begins producing bonded cookware for working chefs and gourmet home cooks.
1973
All-Clad becomes the only American cookware company to manufacture a complete line of cookware from raw materials produced in its own rolling mill.
1974
All-Clad launches its first cookware collection, MASTER CHEF, constructed of durable brushed aluminum. Originally designed for professional use, the new collection quickly garners a small but loyal following.[citation needed] In response to that warm reception, the company introduces COP•R•CHEF, which features an exterior of burnished copper to improve heat distribution.
1981
As All-Clad's word-of-mouth reputation grows, the LTD collection is introduced and quickly becomes one of the company's top sellers, effecively putting All-Clad on the map as premier cookware.[citation needed]
1988
Steel magnate Sam Michaels purchases the company and expands production by introducing the cookware to New York chefs. Subsequently, All-Clad becomes a household name among foodies throughout the country.[citation needed]
1990
The STAINLESS collection is introduced and becomes the most popular upscale stainless cookware on the market.[citation needed] Capitalizing on its apparent success, All-Clad executives set out to "make this the BMW of cookware" by focusing on the company's distinctive badge plates and reputation as "America's first luxury cookware," according to Melissa Palmer, Director of Brand Communications.[citation needed]
1993
An ad campaign targeting readers of America's food magazines is launched.
1999
Williams-Sonoma unveils All-Clad's first co-branded cookware collection, COPPER-CORE,which is manufactured by All-Clad and sold exclusively at Williams-Sonoma stores.
In May, All-Clad is acquired for $110 million by Waterford Wedgwood plc, a holding company for two names in tableware: Waterford Crystal Limited, the world's leading manufacturer of premium cut-glass crystal and one of the most important exporters in Ireland, and Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Limited, a British producer of bone china and fine ceramics. The company's purchase also included $6 million for use in an aggressive expansion.[1]
2000
All Clad begins producing cookware for Emeril Lagasse .[2]
2004
Groupe SEB, the French kitchenware and small appliances giant whose stable of top brand names includes T-Fal, Moulinex, and Krups, purchases the company from Waterford Wedgeford plc for $250 million with plans to expand.
2006
Chef, Thomas Keller, becomes the ambassador of the COPPER-CORE collection.
Cookware-Related US Patents
All-Clad has been issued the following patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):
Patent No. | Issue Date | Patent | Inventor | Assignee |
---|---|---|---|---|
3350772 | Nov. 07, 1967 | Methods of cladding stainless steel to aluminum | John B. Ulam & William C. Camp | Composite Metal Products, Inc. |
3363307 | Jan. 16, 1968 | Method of making electricall heated cooking vessels | John B. Ulam | Composite Metal Products, Inc. |
3445630 | May 20, 1969 | Composite cooking vessels | John B. Ulam | Composite Metal Products, Inc. |
3495735 | Feb. 17, 1970 | Non-stick utensils | John B. Ulam & William C. Camp | Composite Metal Products, Inc. |
3909591 | Sept. 30, 1975 | Cooking vessel | John B. Ulam | Composite Metal Products, Inc. |
3919763 | Nov. 18, 1975 | Method of making a cooking vessel | John B. Ulam | |
3952938 | April 27, 1976 | Method of making multiple member composite metal products | John B. Ulam | Clad Metals, Inc. |
4103076 | July 25, 1978 | Clad metal product of Cu, Al and stainless steel | John B. Ulam | Clad Metals, Inc. |
4167606 | Sept. 11, 1979 | Multiple member clad metal products | John B. Ulam | Clad Metals, Inc. |
4246045 | Jan. 20, 1981 | Multiple member clad metal products and methods of making the same | John B. Ulam | Clad Metals, Inc. |
4347722 | Sept. 07, 1982 | Method of making a cooking vessel which has surface ornamentation | John B. Ulam | |
4646935 | March 3, 1987 | Induction cooking utensils | John B. Ulam | Clad Metals, Inc. |
6109504 | Aug. 29, 2000 | Copper core cooking griddle and method of making same | William A. Groll | Clad Metals LLC |
6267830 | July 31, 2001 | Method for making a copper core five-ply composite for cookware | William A. Groll | Clad Metals LLC |
6360423 | March 26, 2002 | Stick resistant coating for cookware | William A. Groll | Clad Metals LLC |
6427904 | August 6, 2002 | Bonding of dissimilar metals | William A. Groll | Clad Metals LLC |
6544669 | April 8, 2003 | Cryogenic treatment of cookware and bakeware | William A. Groll | Clad Metals LLC |
Made in the USA
All-Clad purchases its metals only from US suppliers[citation needed], bonds them at its own rolling mill on-site at its headquarters in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and then forms them at the same location into high performance cooking vessels.
In recent years, All-Clad has begun outsourcing some of its manufacturing to overseas partners (e.g., China).
The areas in which All-Clad does not manufacture in the USA include:
- Where the bonding of metals is not required for superior cooking performance (e.g., kitchen tools and accessories)
- On regular non-bonded components where manufacturing in the USA would add to the retail price but not generally to performance (e.g., lids)
- Where manufacturing constraints exist at the Canonsburg plant (e.g., electrical kitchen appliances)
Cookware Collections
Handles
All-Clad cookware features a signature stay-cool handle that is riveted to the body of the cookware. The long, stay-cool handles are designed for a lifetime of use. Pure 18/10 stainless steel is used for every All-Clad cookware handle and the rivets are made from high-yield-strength stainless steel that is treated to remove iron that could cause corrosion.
All handles are highly polished including the Master Chef 2 collection, which has a sand blasted look to match its brushed aluminum finish. The LTD collection has this sandblasted look only on the interior groove of the handle. Copper-Core and LTD2 handles feature a forward stop underneath, comfortably formed into the same high quality stainless steel.[citation needed]
Interior Finishes
The cooking surface of All-Clad stainless cookware is made from a proprietary formulation of 304 grade stainless steel specially adapted to meet All-Clad specifications regarding grain size, texture, alloy content, and other physical properties that make All-Clad the finest cookware. The primary benefit of stainless steel over other metals is its non-reactive nature so that all you can taste is the food. Several pieces feature a a nonstick finish coated on top of the 18/10 stainless steel.[3]
All stainless steel used by All-Clad is certified to meet National Standard ISO 9000 (International Organization for Standardization)and ASTM A240 (testing and standards) for all 304 series stainless steel intended for use with food. Every "melt" by All-Clad's steel suppliers is tested and certified to meet the ASTM 240 (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards.[3]
Exterior Finishes
All-Clad is available in a variety of exterior metals and finishes. Individual choices can be based on kitchen style, frequency of use, dishwasher safe requirements, and/or cooking methods.
Collection | Construction Type | Exterior Material | Interior Core Material | Interior Cooking Surface Material | Cooktop Compatibility | Cleaning |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brushed Stainless Steel Pro | Bonded 5-ply | Brushed magnetic stainless steel | Stainless steel sandwiched between pure aluminum | 18/10 polished stainless steel | All cooktops; optimal cookware for induction | Dishwasher safe, excluding pieces with a nonstick cooking surface |
Copper-Core | Bonded 5-ply | 18/10 polished stainless steel | Copper sandwiched between pure aluminum | 18/10 polished stainless steel | Gas, electric, and ceramic; NOT induction compatible | While hand washing is recommended, Copper-Core is dishwasher-safe. |
Cop•R•Chef | Bonded 3-ply | Copper | Pure aluminum | 18/10 polished stainless steel | Gas, electric, and ceramic; NOT induction compatible | Wash by hand; Dishwasher use is not recommended |
LTD | Bonded 3-ply | Hard-anodized aluminum | Pure aluminum | 18/10 polished stainless steel | Gas, electric, and ceramic; NOT induction compatible | Wash by hand; Dishwasher use is not recommended |
LTD2 | Bonded 5-ply | Dishwasher-safe hard-anodized aluminum | Pure aluminum sandwiched between stainless steel | 18/10 polished stainless steel | Gas, electric, and ceramic; NOT induction compatible | All-Clad LTD2 is dishwasher safe, excluding pieces with a non-stick finish. |
Master Chef 2 (MC2) | Bonded 3-ply | Brushed aluminum alloy | Pure aluminum | 18/10 polished stainless steel | Gas, electric, and ceramic; NOT induction compatible | Wash by hand; Dishwasher use is not recommended |
Stainless | Bonded 3-ply | Magnetic stainless steel | Pure aluminum | 18/10 polished stainless steel | All cooktops including induction (with the exception of a few pieces in the collection) | Dishwasher safe, excluding pieces with a nonstick cooking surface |
Emerilware
In 2000, All-Clad partnered with television chef and personality, Emeril Lagasse, to develop his exclusive line of signature cookware, named Emerilware.
The Emerilware Stainless line was desinged to provide solid performance at a nice value. The base consists of stainless steel, with aluminum and copper for excellent heat conductivity and performance. The base disk is surrounded by an exterior of polished stainless steel for easy cleaning and durability. The cooking surface is non-reactive stainless steel, and the pans are finished with ergonomic stay-cool handles that are securely riveted to the pan. For easy visibility, lids (for pans that come with lids) are made of tempered glass with a stainless band.
By the end of 2000, Emerilware had exceeded all of All-Clad's publicity and sales projections and was contributing to one half of the company's 40% growth. By 2005, the Emerilware Stainless 10-piece set had become the single best selling cookware set in America.[citation needed] Emerilware extended its product line assortment to other specialty items such as cast iron cookware.
Annual Seconds Sale
Each year in June and December, All-Clad Metalcrafters holds a seconds sale near its headquarters in Canonsburg. Although originally held at the factory, the sales have moved off-site in recent years and most recently have been held at the nearby Washington County Fairgrounds in Chartiers, Pennsylvania. The two- and three-day seconds sales feature All-Clad cookware, bakeware and utensils that display dings, scratches or other less obvious defects and are subsequently available for 40-70% off retail prices. "A lot of people will look and can't find what's wrong with the pan," said All-Clad Marketing/Communications Coordinator Melanie Tennant..[4] Ms. Tennant said every piece manufactured by All-Clad will be available at the sale, although second-quality Emerilware will no longer be sold at the sale, because it is now being manufactured by an All-Clad sister company in New Jersey. Shoppers have developed certain strategies to get the best pieces for the lowest price. Many times, that involves camping out at the fairgrounds before the sale begins, since only a certain number of shoppers are allowed inside the buildings at any one time. Cooks from all 50 states have attended the seconds sales, some obsessively."We have people who plan their vacation around this," Ms. Tennant said. Some All-Clad fans say that part of the lure of the sale is its secretiveness. They say the company doesn't heavily advertise the sales, so it's always a challenge to prepare with sometimes less than one week's notice. However, Ms. Tennant says that the company does advertise with local media and for the June 2009 sale sent out 23,000 postcards to customers on its mailing list to notify them.
References
- ^ "High-end pots that no one would pan". http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/20001015rubin.asp. Retrieved september 10.
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